Online gaming may seem like a fairly safe habit to most people but the fact is that it comes with its own dangers. The risk may not be as physical as some other hobbies but there are different aspects to gaming that can pose a threat.
Studies show that a large percentage of the risk of playing online comes from other players. The motive of these players isn’t always transparent and they could be looking to reveal your information. This could be anything from a password for a game such as The Old Republic to where you’re playing from. These may appear to be non-malicious but they’re usually used to reveal payment methods or to threaten players.
In this way, a virtual threat very quickly comes into the real world when your life is affected. This could happen from your account being drained or even a stranger appearing on your doorstep.
Identity theft is a big problem in the online gaming community, as we keep so much of our personal data on our devices. These can include everything from passport details to PayPal credentials, so it’s not hard for someone to make their way into your life. These unscrupulous people don’t stop there though, as there are more and more ways to sell credentials online for a profit.
Any games in which you add real-world currency, like the slot games at luckyadmiral.com/online-slots, carry a risk. That’s why it’s so important to use safe and trusted casino sites like Lucky Admiral to play online securely. When your payment details are saved online in any form, they can be vulnerable to hacking. Safe payments can help so if given the option, use a Paysafecard to deposit on your favorite casino sites.
There are a plethora of risks from downloading software on your computer. These include viruses and other software that could present issues for your hardware. Programs like Trojan Horses and worms bore into your computer and could even log every key you press. This also has the potential effect of delivering your payment details and passwords into the wrong hands.
As far back as 2003, the question of cybercrime and its consequences has been hotly debated. The reality is that not much can be done on the side of legislation to prevent these crimes. As players come from all over the world, there’s no one law that applies to all of them and prosecution would be a nightmare. With MMORPGs that span the world, courts don’t really have the power to extradite or charge citizens of other countries.
Their hands are tied, so it’s up to users to take control of their own safety when they play online. There are some things that you don’t have control over, such as the security of a remote server, but there are a number of protocols that can help. Here are a few of them:
- Don’t use the same password for multiple sites
- Ensure that you have security software installed
- Scan your computer for viruses on a regular basis
- Don’t give any personal details out to players under any circumstances
- Don’t trade or pay for in-item games from non-official sources
Some of these might seem like overkill but if you want to outwit the hackers then you’ll keep yourself safe. They can use tricky methods to take advantage of players so it’s important to stay one step ahead at all times. If another player offers you a deal or sends you files, reject them as they could be attempting to scam you.
Most gamers will have a horror story from the distant past of being scammed, perhaps on Runescape, but we have to be more careful now. With other players capable of ruining your life in just a few clicks, err on the side of caution and you’ll be better off.
Author: Chris Mendez
Photo credit: SteelSeries
Source: Mark Ward (BBC)
Editorial notice: This post has been sponsored.
